May 3, 2017
Wale brings down the California State University, Bakersfield house
Vol. 42, No. 16
therunneronline.com @csub_runner
facebook.com/runnercsub
FREE
@therunnernewspaper
@csubrunnernews
THE BIG STORY
One copy per person of each edition is free. Additional copies are 50 cents each.
CASTRO
Administration changes CSUB student dies in collision graduation protocol on Highway 46
By Emily Amparan Assistant News Editor Changes to the CSU Bakersfield commencement procedures will make this year’s ceremonies different from those held in the past. The graduate hooding and commencement will be held in the Icardo Center on May 18 at 6 p.m., while undergraduate commencement will be on the CSU Bakersfield’s main soccer field at 8 a.m. on May 19. All students are encouraged to be on campus two hours before each ceremony begins: 6 a.m. for undergraduates and 4:30 p.m. for graduates. Directional signs will be stationed around campus pointing undergraduates to the Roadrunner Softball Comlex and graduates to the old gym where they will line up behind their school signs and obtain their name cards. Family members and loved ones are also encouraged to arrive on campus two hours early, as seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jenny Zorn strongly encourages that guests and graduates carpool with family and arrive together so they can all be seated together, as saving seats is prohibited. “We are opening up as many fields [for parking] as possible, but it will be tight,” said Zorn. Zorn also said that there will be shuttles carrying guests to and from the lots on campus. Guests are prohibited from bringing objects such as air horns, signs and balloons to the ceremonies. A full list of prohibited items can be found at www.csub.edu/ commencement. Anyone found with prohibited
By Christopher Mateo Editor-in-Chief
everybody laugh. Even in dull moments, he was always cracking jokes, cracking jokes even A cool, gentle breeze swayed with the teacher,” said Vidrio. the trees surrounding the Wasco According to his family, Cemetery. The trees seemed to Ismael was a kind and friendly wave a final goodbye to CSU person. Bakersfield “In the first student Ismael place, he was I can tell you Castro along very friendwith his he’d always have a ly. He was a friends and happy person. smile on his face. He was such a family. Castro died He was alway try- happy person. in a car colliIn school, he ing to make every- was a good sion early Friday morning. student. He body laugh” Castro was was number Brenda Vidrio, a business one in his administration classes,” said close friend major with a his father concentration Juan Castro in in marketing. He was the fifth Spanish in an interview at their child out of six brothers. home on Monday. He was due to graduate at the Castro’s brother Fernando,36, end of the spring 2017 semesdescribed him as a competitive ter, and had purchased his cap person. and gown the morning before “I must say that he was a very he died. competitive person in anything According to his mother and he did. If he didn’t win, he father, he had paid for the Chididn’t like it. It was in everycano Commencement Celebrathing, whether it be in football, tion that morning, as well. basketball, or no matter what he According to a news release did, he took great pride in what from the California Highway he would do. He never settled Patrol, on April 21 Castro was for anything but the best,” said heading west on Highway 46 in Fernando Castro in Spanish. Honda Accord. According to his family, IsmaIt is unkown why Castro el he had plans to start working crashed into the back of a in his field. Freightliner semi-truck. Castro Fernando Castro had set up an sustained major injuries and interview for Castro to work in died at the scene. the same company. It has not been determined “Well, the first thing was to whether alcohol or drugs were find a job that was to his capaca factor in the collision. ity and in what he was studyCastro is remembered for his ing,” said Juan Castro. personality and his humor by Fernando was always interestclose friend and CSUB student ed in Castro’s education and his Brenda Vidrio. plans were after he graduated. “I can tell you he’d always See OBITUARY, Page 3 have a smile on his face. He was alway trying to make
“
Runner Archives
The CSUB administration has changed the procedures and protocols for the graduation ceremonies.
items will be asked to return them to their cars. CSUB allowed all graduating students an unlimited amount of tickets in order to invite their loved ones for this special moment in their lives. “Many of our students are the first to graduate in their families, and this allows them to bring everyone to celebrate and give inspiration to their younger brothers, sisters and cousins,” said Zorn. Due to the amount of requests for tickets, there will be overflow from the seating on the soccer field into the Icardo Center, and a second overflow will be stationed on the women’s softball field where jumbo screens will be set up for a livestream viewing of the commencement. This year, there will only be one undergraduate ceremony.
In past years, undergraduate commencement has been split into two separate ceremonies. This decision, according to Zorn, was made with student opinions in mind in order to create a university-wide celebration. This combination of ceremonies also allows graduates to share the experience with their friends in other majors and schools. The overall ceremony will be the similar to those in the past, but with a limited amount of speeches in order to conserve time. No guest speaker will be present, but President Horace Mitchell will be delivering the commencement speech. All graduates’ names will be read as they cross the stage while a jumbo screen will display the students’ names,
majors and photos. Despite the changes, not many CSUB students are bothered with them. Senior and upcoming graduate Kamen Sarratt claimed that he was all for the combination of ceremonies into one. Other students are more concerned with the ceremony length and hot weather with being outside the entire time. “I’m not bothered with having one ceremony,” said Senior English major Kezia Buxton. After the ceremony, a reception will be held at the Student Recreation Center. There will be food and beverages for all graduates and guests, as well as a DJ stationed on the SRC balcony for entertainment. Faculty will also attend the ceremony and reception.
CAMPUS
CSUB hosts the first Lavender Recognition Celebration By Annie Russell Senior Staff Writer The time has come of spring flowers, lavender chords, decorated graduation caps and new beginnings for CSU Bakersfield graduates. Packaged tightly in their wrap, lavender chords and rainbow pins await to be presented to a handful of CSUB students that are participating in
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
the first Lavender Recognition Celebration. “It kind of goes along with all the other cultural celebrations, it’s just like a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and allies,” said Dean’s Office Coordinator of the school of Arts and Humanities Matthew McClellan. McClellan proposed the idea that was conjured from his the-
sis assignment of a celebration similar to the black and Chicano celebrations for LGBTQ+ students. “I’m really glad that I’m here when this is happening so that I can be a part of it because I think it’s important to recognize something that sets you apart from the rest of the students.” Criminal justice major and LGBTQ+ Network club presi-
dent Alyssa Olivera said. Originally the celebration was to be held in the Dezember Reading Room in the library. However, due to the growing number of attendees it was changed to the Dore Theatre. The doors open to arriving guest at 2 p.m. and the event will start at 3 p.m. on May 12. CSUB President, Horace Mitchell and Provost Jenny
News
Features
Features
The Alumni Association engages with more students Page 2
Find out what The Jazz is next for ASI Festival returns President Alex to CSUB Page 10 Dominguez Page 2
Zorn are expected to speak at the event as well as keynote speaker Jan Hefner of the Gay and Lesbian Center of Bakersfield. All CSUB students are free to participate in the celebration upon registering online. There are 24 undergraduates expected to attend the celebration and around 120 guest estimated to show up, not including staff
Spotlight
Wale wows CSUB with his energetic performance Page 7
and faculty. “I firmly believe that if were a community that is advocating for inclusion into like the mainstream area that we should never exclude anybody,” said McClellan. Presentations of the lavender chords and pins will be given to the graduating students at the event. See CELEBRATION, Page 2
Sports
Two women’s golf team members finish in top 10 Page 9
2
Graduation Issue
May 3, 2017
ALUMNI
CSUB Alumni Association reaches out to graduates By Glendy Ardon Reporter As this school year comes to an end, many students will walk away from CSU Bakersfield with their degrees ready to tackle their futures. The CSUB Alumni Association wants to bridge the gap between graduates and the university and make alumni feel connected to the school by providing opportunities and resources. According to Sarah Hendrick, Director of Alumni Engagement, there are over 47 thousand alumni being represented by the association, and that number is expected to hit 50 thousand once the 2017 graduates are included. “We are here to be a resource for alumni after they graduate from the university...keep them connected to campus after they graduate, and provide benefits
and services and give them opportunities to give back to the campus, as well,” said Hendrick. The membership to join is free this year, but a lifetime membership costs $500. Becoming a member of the CSUB Alumni Association has many perks and benefits for alumni. Some of these benefits include discounts to CSUB athletic events, Runner Bookstore and Student Recreation Center, along with access to the library and discounts on insurance services. The Alumni Association wants to facilitate the relationship between past students and the university by providing opportunities to volunteer, mentor and attend events to give back to the university. Irma Cervantes Lancaster, CSUB alumna and president of the board of directors of the Alumni Association, said she is
proud to be part of the association. “I knew that by becoming a part of the CSUB Alumni Association, I would be able to work with the board of directors and the university to create initiatives and increase promotional efforts so that we could gain more pride and involvement from our wonderful CSUB Alumni,” said Cervantes Lancaster. “It is important for graduates to know that their involvement with the university does not end at graduation. The education, knowledge, and experience they gained at CSUB will be a part of them for the rest of their lives. Becoming a member of the association allows alumni easy access to information on how to continue to be a part of their university after receiving their degrees,” Cervantes Lancaster wrote in an email. “They will always be a part of the CSUB family,” Hendrick
said. The Alumni Association hosts events every year inviting alumni to return and celebrate achievements. “We have two key events every year. One is our annual Alumni Recognition Ceremony…and Party at the Park,” said Hendrick. Hendrick explained that the Alumni Hall of Fame just celebrated its 11th year and has inducted over 40 alumni. “Our Alumni Recognition Ceremony is held every February. It kicks off our homecoming week festivities. It’s a really fun black-tie formal event,” Hendrick said. This formal event recognizes and puts together video montages of each inductee. “We get to learn about their history as a student here on campus and what they’ve done since they left campus,” said Hendrick. The social fundraising event,
Party at the Park, just celebrated its 20th anniversary this October. This event is open to alumni and the community. “It’s just a fun event. We have music, good food, wine and beer tasting and a silent auction,” Hendrick said about the Party at the Park event. “It’s a fun time for alumni and community members…This is the closest thing we have to an alumni reunion on campus.” According to Hendrick, CSUB Alumni Association runs three different committees that focus on scholarships, membership and mentorship. “We encourage alumni to have a lifelong relationship with the university. It’s nice to have a mentor. A lot of our students are first-time students, so I think that alumni mentors can be a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Hendrick. If any students want to meet alumni and have a mentorship opportunity, Hendrick en-
GRADUATION
Caps off to this year’s graduates
Photo courtesy of Miel Rivera
Senior communications major Miel Rivera used rhinestones and ironed on the decal to make her graduation cap. Photo courtesy Genesis Ramirez
Human biology major Genesis Ramirez, 23, celebrates her love for Disney by putting Mickey Mouse on her cap.
Photo courtesy of Athena Skapinakis
Public policy and administration graduate student Athena Skapinakis, 25, used homemade stencils, rhinestones and die-cut stars to make her cap.
THE RUNNER Volume 42, Issue 15 The Runner California State University, Bakersfield 9001 Stockdale Hwy. Bakersfield, CA 93311-1099 Telephone: 661-654-2165 Email: therunner.online@ gmail.com therunneronline.com ADVISER
Jennifer Burger jburger1@csub.edu
Photo courtesy of Marcie Magaña
Psychology major Marcie Magaña, 23, used acrylic paint and fake flowers to make her cap.
editorial staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Christopher Mateo
PHOTO EDITOR AJ Alvarado
BUSINESS MANAGER Megan Oliver
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Rebecca Romo
NEWS EDITOR Julie Mana-Ay
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Allison Lechman
FEATURES EDITOR Devon Halsell
COPY CHIEF Heather Simmons
OPINIONS EDITOR Anthony Jauregui
WEB EDITOR Roxana Flores
SPORTS EDITOR Peter Castillo
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Emily Amparan
courages them to contact the Alumni Association. For students graduating this semester, the Alumni Association is there to continue to strengthen the bond between the university and the alumni. Cervantes Lancaster said that a university education is not only composed of a student-teacher relationship, but is a team effort involving admissions, financial aid, administration, the Alumni Association and other departments. “I urge our new 2017 graduating class to consider giving back and being involved with their university. Just like former alumni have been there for them, they should be there for the future graduates of CSUB,” said Cervantes Lancaster. “[We] just want to stay in touch with our alumni and bring them back to events and campus programs so that they feel they are part of the CSUB family,” Hendricks said.
CAMPUS
New celebration brings color to CSUB [CELEBRATION, Page 1] After closing remarks there will be snacks and drinks provided to all guest and graduates. “I think it’s a great representation of all the diversity here at CSUB,” said senior psychology major Luis Armendariz. Unlike the black and Chicano celebrations, the Lavender Recognition Celebration will be free to the students. “Were kind of in a rough atmosphere where all the progress that the LGBTQ+ community has made, there’s some push back on some of those rights. And so I think it’s important for the university to show that support, that we support all students,” said McClellan discussing a few of the reasons of having the celebration this year. Other schools such as the University of Southern California have had the Lavender Celebration for years, some going under a different name such as Rainbow Celebration or reception. The Human Rights Campaign state the name Lavender is a reference to the pink and black triangles gay and lesbian prisoners were forced to wear in Nazi concentration camps. Later the symbols were coined into a reference of pride for the LGBTQ+ community. Graduating students are encouraged to participate in the separate celebrations as well as attend the commencement on May 19 as a whole. “Were all part of one race, the human race,” said Benedettini.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Send letters to therunner.online@gmail. com. All letters must be signed and verified and be no more than 300 words in length. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.
ABOUT
The Runner is a laboratory newspaper published bi-weekly, in conjuction with the Communications Department at California State University, Bakersfield.
DISCLAIMERS
Views and opinions expressed in The Runner are not necessarily those of the editors, staff or the Communications Department. The stafff of The Runner reserves the right to refuse or omit any advertising or material which advocates illegal activity, or which may be considered libelous, irresponsible or tasteless.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright belongs to the Communications Department at California State University, Bakersfield.
May 3, 2017 PROFILE
Graduation Issue
A bittersweet farewell
3
ASI president prepares for new journey to Ole Miss By Breanna Hunczak Reporter Spring always brings new changes to CSU Bakersfield. Flowers are blooming, the weather is getting warmer, professors are retiring, and seniors are leaving to go on to bigger and better things. This stage in the students’ journeys causes some to reflect on how far they have come, who supported them and where they are going. Alex Dominguez, the president of Associated Students Inc., reflects on his time at CSUB. “I remember the first day I came to the CSUB orientation, and now in a few short weeks, I will be graduating. It went by so fast,” said Dominguez. Dominguez was a transfer student from Bakersfield College, where he spent three years trying to figure out what his passion was. He said he thought it might be accounting, but he changed his mind after taking an accounting class. He then tried out a criminal justice class, but found himself more drawn to the politics of it all. Finally, he took a political science class and found his passion. Dominguez came to CSUB in his junior year and decided to jump right into the politics of CSUB by being ASI president. He was born and raised in Bakersfield, and he said that he will never lose sight of his roots.
“I will always come back home to Bakersfield and my mama,” said Dominguez. Dominguez is a student first and foremost. He said he gets stressed and overwhelmed, especially when it came to starting his graduation journey. “Applying for graduation was frustrating, because you have to apply a year in advance,” he said. “I almost missed the deadline and was concerned about the other students, so I ran around campus telling students about graduation in class. I could just see the blood in their face drain because they didn’t apply in time. I began taking down their names and emailing Admissions telling them that these students need to graduate.” After all the paperwork was in order, Dominguez was able to enjoy the rest of his time at CSUB. He said he has had great experiences being a student, because he feels that there is always something to do. “These university experiences are important, because not every student is from Bakersfield. CSUB has a feeling of home which makes the international students feel more comfortable in their new environment,” said Dominguez. Dominguez said he has come to love the community feeling. He has been accepted into the University of Mississippi law school. “I am going to miss the feeling of home that I get from CSUB, but I am also going to
Simer Khurana/The Runner
ASI President and senior Alex Dominguez awaits graduation and his future at the University of Mississippi for law school.
take this with me to Ole Miss,” said Dominguez. The school was not his first choice, but CSUB Vice President of Student Affairs Thomas Wallace had urged Dominguez to go to an interview with a representative from Ole Miss, where he will begin studying business law this fall. With his future plans in place,
What’s Happening Around Campus MAY
2 Geology Seminar Series: Dr. Lyndsay Ball 4 p.m-5 p.m. SCI III, 104 Give Big Kern Tabling: 8 a.m-2 p.m. Student Union Patio 3
What’s Next? Spring 2017 Graduates-CECE: 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m DDH Rm. 101K
4
NSME Honors Recognition: 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. SRC
MBA Mixer: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Off Campus 8 AH Honors Ceremony: 3 p.m.- 9 p.m. Dezember Reading Rm. 12 Lavendar Recognition Celabration: 3 p.m. Dezember Reading Rm. 13 Black Graduates Recognition Ceremony: 3 p.m. Icardo Center
14Chicano Commencement 5 Geology Seminar Series: Celebration: Dr. Heermace Richard 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Icardo Center SCI III, 104 18 Graduate Hooding & Omicron ODE Honor Commencement: Ceremony: 4 p.m.-6 p.m. 8:30 a.m.- 10:15 a.m. Icardo Center Albertson RM 19 Undergraduate Concert Band Spring: Commencement: 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. 8 a.m. Dore Theatre CSUB Main Soccer Field 6
Jazz Collective Spring Concert: 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Dore Theatre
29 MOAA Memorial Day Services: 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. Memorial Grove
Calendar sponsored by NSME, Student Union, School of Arts & Humanities, Walter Stiern Library, and the School of Business and Public Administration. To be included, contact moliver9@csub.edu.
Dominguez advises students to get involved, “not only with all the activities and other students, but with the professors as well. I have an on-campus mentor, and I can go to there for anything I need,” said Dominguez. Dominguez suggested that the new ASI officers remember who they represent.
“Remember the students you represent, because your decision affects everyone on this campus,” said Dominguez. “You are not just one voice. You are the voice of ten thousand students on campus, and the ones that have yet to come. Go out and get to know your students. Enjoy their company and their stories, because they
will help you make the campus better.” In a few weeks, Dominguez will graduate with a B.A. in political science with a minor in marketing. He said that he is both excited and nervous to embark on his new journey, but for now, he is just enjoying being home.
4
Campus
May 3, 2017
COMMUNITY
Beer, heat and mac and cheese
Simer Khurana/The Runner
Vendors hand out samples at the Macaroni and Cheese Festival on April 22 in Alumni Park at CSUB. The annual event hosted nearly 30 different vendors offering different types of food.
Simer Khurana/The Runner
Various beer stands from local breweries were on hand to serve attendees at the fourth annual Macaroni and Cheese Festival in Alumni Park at CSUB.
Bakersfield gathers for annual mac and cheese fest By Sonia Lemus Reporter Lines formed in Alumni Park early on April 25 for the fourth annual Macaroni & Cheese Festival at CSU Bakersfield. The 85-degree weather did not stop hundreds of people from attending the event, which featured live music from the local band Mento Buru, a caricaturist, henna art, wine and beer along with macaroni and cheese
sampling. There were over 29 different vendors offering samples of wine, beer and pasta. The most popular vendors were Mowie Co. Hawaiian Fusion Feast, Centro 18, Bootleggers, RC Steakhouse and Temblor. Attendants at the event were asked to vote for their favorite macaroni and cheese samples. The Countryside Grill won for the second year in a row
with their chile verde mac and cheese. In second place was Café Med, and third place went to Murray Farms. This was Countryside Grill’s third appearance at the event. They had an eye-catching display and played drums whenever they received a vote. Steven Yates, who worked at the booth, said that the recipe for their award-winning dish is a secret. The third place winner, Mur-
ray Farms had a sampling of a strawberry cheesecake. Murray Farms has participated at this event since it first started, and they were winners the first year. Their cheesecake was made from organic Albion strawberries, ricotta cheese, cream cheese, white chocolate chips and a homemade graham cracker crust. It was topped with whipped cream and an organic strawberry drizzle made with fruit from
the Murray family farm. “It’s the consistency of what we do at our farms that make our farm successful,” said Kristen Lawson, a worker at the Murray Farms’ booth. This event gives locals an opportunity to explore Bakersfield’s businesses. Kat Vuong and Arianne Carbone, two friends attending the event for the first time, agreed that the Macaroni & Cheese Festival encouraged them to
visit these local businesses. “It shows us as a local craft brewery. It’s great seeing how this event just shows all of the local businesses of Bakersfield,” said Taylor Freckleton, who worked at the Temblor booth. Some of the proceeds of this event go to the Roadrunner Scholarship Fund.
May 3, 2017
Campus
5
CAMPUS
Community comes together for Celebrate CSUB
Food Booths were set up around the Celebrate CSUB event, ,including but not limited to Funnel Cakes, Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Corn Dogs, Hot dogs, and the Curbside kitchen, and many more.
Photos by Simmer Khurana/The Runner
Marybeth Brooks, 31, from the Kawaiisu Tribe, assists elementary kids with a beat to play the drum to.
CSUB student from the art department, Tavis, 21, assists Victoria, 10, with making her clay pot
Students try their hands at Archery, instructed by members of the Tehachapi Kawaiisu Tribe.
Incoming Freshmen play Giant Jenga in Runner Park during Celebrate CSUB on Saturday, April 28.
6 News
May 3, 2017
CASTRO
AJ Alvarado/The Runner
CSUB student Ismael Castro was laid to rest on Friday.
AJ Alvarado/The Runner
Ismael Castro’s family and friends released doves as they laid him to rest at Wasco Cemetary on Friday, April 28.
CSUB student dies weeks before his graduation OBITUARY, Page 1 “ I was always interested in his schooling. I would ask him what he was doing and what his career plans were. Where we were working, they were ready to give him an interview where me and two other brothers work. “He was very happy about that, but he said his goal after graduation was going to move to Los Angeles, because there were more job opportunities there,” said Fernando Castro. Castro’s mother Josefina Castro described Castro as a loving son. “He was very special. In the morning before going to school, he would ask me to
make him breakfast with a cup of coffee. He would knock on my door every day and would say, ‘Open up. I want to see you. Why do you lock the door?’ Castro’s mother remembers “His smile, his love and his playful spirit. He was a son that there are no words to describe who he was,” Josefina Castro said in Spanish as she started to cry. Eduardo Castro, Castro’s youngest brother helped him shape himself into the man he is today. “I can remember from the time we were playing soccer to the last concert we attended. All of that shapes who we are
and he kinda shaped me to be which means ‘here comes the strong. To just one that upsets always keep the chicken ‘‘His smile, his love coop.’ going and always try to and his playful spirit. Ismael’s first stay happy,” teachHe was my son and grade said Eduardo er Rosalinda there are no words Chairez, who Castro. Castro’s parto describe who he taught Ismael at ents described John L. Prueitt was. ” Ismael’s childElementary dehood as full of scribed Castro energy. Ismael as an excep-Josefina Castro, could not stay tional student. mother of Ismael still. Chairez is now According to the principal his parents the at the same daycare staff school. where Castro “After you’ve would go to would say ‘Llebeen a teacher for the number go el que alborota la gallera’ of years I’ve been a teacher and
you’ve gotten to know a large number of students all the name and all the faces through time and distance kind of fade away. But this young man never faded from my mind,” said Chairez. Chairez said he was a dedicated student and had an exceptional willingness to help others. Chairez took note of the emphasis Castro’s parents put on the importance of education. She was even more impressed by his dedication to his schooling. Chairez felt so close to Castro that she considered him as a son. “I had just seen his family a few weeks ago and I asked them to please bring my
children to see me. I guess it wasn’t meant to be for me to see him again,” said Chairez. Chairez said she will remember him for the “high quality” of human being he was. “It’s really difficult to define that kind of kindness in a human being,” said Chairez. According to CSUB Presidential Aide Tina Giblin President Horace Mitchell has spoken to the Castro family extensively as to what options they have to participate in the graduation ceremony however the family has not responded with any plans. CSUB flew the university flag at half-staff on Friday in memory of Ismael Castro.
May 3, 2017
Spotlight
7
RUNNER NIGHTS
Wale brings banging beats to CSUB Photos by AJ Alvarado/The Runner
Hundreds of CSUB students and staff gather in the Icardo Center to see award-winning artist Wale perform in the Runner Nights concert Friday, April 28.
The crowd lights up the stage with their phones before Wale comes out on stage to perform in the Icardo Center Friday, April 28.
Wale wrote different phrases on his shoes which he wore to the Runner Nights concert in the Icardo Center Friday, April 28.
DC native Wale performs one of his songs at Runner Nights. He performed songs such as ‘Ambition,’ ‘Lotus Flower Bomb,’ ‘Bait’ and ‘Slight Work.’
REVIEW
Wale concert better than all the whale jokes By Anthony Jauregui Opinions Editor
Most Bakersfield residents pledge: “there’s nothing to do here,” “nothing exciting comes to Bakersfield” and “why does all the cool stuff happen everywhere but here?” CSU Bakersfield finally stepped to the forefront of booking great musicians. With schools like UC San Diego and its booking of Schoolboy Q or USC’s booking of Atlanta’s current trap kings Migos, CSUB stepped up its game and brought us star R&B/ Rap artist Wale. Last year’s Runner Nights, brought us singer Alessia Cara, who brought the heat with vocals that killed and a performance still talked about by students, but booking Wale as the spring Runner Nights performer unleashed a new monster.
This monster has dreads, wears sunglasses indoors and provides soulful lyrics and banger beats that gave CSUB students enough rhythm to shake their asses, fists and heads. As an avid listener of rap and trap, I was excited to hear that a well-known rapper was coming to Bakersfield, and of all places in the community, CSUB. Admittedly, I was not as familiar with his music so I did my research. Most of you who complained that you didn’t know who he was, should’ve done your research. After downloading his past few albums, I searched for the best. The ones I knew he would play. And those of us who frequent concerts know that a big part of the atmosphere is knowing the songs, so when the artist points the mic at the audience, they’re
ready to take over. The sad part of this concert was that 50 percent of the time poor Wale was pointing the mic to us and we just left him hanging. CSUB barely knew any of his songs. But that did not stop people like me from jumping three feet in the air, pumping everyone up around me, all while Snapchatting the whole concert. I didn’t know most of his songs, but I continued to hype him up and yell profanities to make sure he wasn’t playing to a dead crowd. He came out to “Bait” and played crowd favorites like “Lotus Flower Bomb” and “Ambition,” which rattled the crowd and my ear drums. The morning of the concert, I found out that Wale had just released his new album “Shine” and immediately started to memorize the songs, just in
case he premiered them live. And he did. The Wale concert was more than a concert, though. It was a sign to the community that we are capable of so much more. If you missed the concert, you missed hundreds of people enjoying themselves and my drunk ass shouting along to Wale and his hype man. Overall, the concert was great. It was especially better than all the stupid whale jokes I heard. But even though I only came in time for Wale performance, I still left shell-shocked and ready for more. If you’re skeptical of going to the concert next time for whatever reason, just go. If you don’t go, you’ll never know the possibilities of the night. I gave the concert four out of five whales.
Wale vibes with the hundreds of CSUB students and staff who attended the concert Friday, April 28.
8 Opinions
May 3, 2017
RUNNER ON THE STREET By Jonathan Hess/ Photos by Karina Diaz
This week The Runner asked, “How do you feel about the ticket changes for graduation?” Lexus Block 23 Sociology “It’s good that we don’t have tickets, but at the same time, people are going to be mad if they have to go to the Icardo center.”
STAFF EDITORIAL
Graduation is a mess Graduation should be a chance for friends and family to gather around and celebrate their loved one’s achievement of receiving a diploma. It should also be a time for excitement and celebrations. This year’s graduation ceremony falls short of that expectation. CSU Bakersfield had the opportunity to choose between having two ceremonies or one larger one. The decision makers chose to have the one commencement to save on money, and supposedly time, yet they have cut corners. Since the ceremony starts at 8 a.m., the CSUB staff have decided they will open the gates to the ceremony at 6 a.m., but for some students who are not from the Bakersfield area that means their families must be up and out of the house around 4 a.m. just to make it in time. Once the soccer stadium has filled up, there will be overflow in the Icardo Room. All that states to those unfortunate few who were not on campus in time for stadium seating is that they are unwanted. The back-up seating, just in case the Icardo Room fills, is the softball practice field. All those friends and families, who are in the overflow, get to watch their loved ones walk across the stage on a big screen. There will be no yelling and cheering when the graduates name is called.
With some people registered for fifty guests the chances of having to use not one, but both overflow locations are high. Why couldn’t the ceremony be held at the Rabobank Arena? High schools across Kern County hold their ceremonies there with plenty of room. There will also be no commencement speaker at this year’s undergraduate ceremony. The commencement speaker is one of the highlights of a graduation ceremony. To not have someone tell you that everything will be alright if you don’t have an amazing job right outside of college is unfair. Other graduating classes have had commencement speakers. After working so hard for a degree, a commencement speaker is a treat, yet the class of 2017 will not get the privilege of hearing one. All this graduating class with get to hear is CSUB President Horace Mitchell give a speech. Disability services have yet to be disclosed on the ceremonies tag on the CSUB website. Those students need to be notified of what kind of services they are being granted for the ceremonies, so they don’t have to worry. If anything goes wrong with the ceremony, the university only has themselves to blame. There might be a few changes for next year’s ceremonies depending on how this year’s turns out.
Iliana Corral 20 Nursing “I’m neutral. For people who have big families there’s more room to invite people and I would want my family to come and see me.”
Brent McClanahan II 31 History “I’m sure CSUB understands the risks they’re taking by doing this, if not, come May 19th they’re going to figure it out.”
Brianna Saavedra 21 Liberal Studies “I’m a first time graduate and it’s something exciting for all my family to come and see, but it’s risky.”
OPINION
Repealed laws regulate privacy By Emily Amparan Assistant News Editor At the end of March, the United States Congress has taken action to repeal internet privacy laws that were to be put in place at the end of President Obama’s term in office. Repealing these laws, which would have required all internet companies like Google and Facebook to receive permission and notify users before using their information, has made the public more exposed than ever. The unprecedented bullshit surrounding these newly revoked regulations should be enough to anger anyone. These companies should in no way be given unlimited access to information of American citizens to do whatever the hell they want with it. And the issue does not stop at these companies having access to anyone’s browser history. Any Internet Service Provider can also redirect searches without warning,
implant undeletable cookies and even pre-install software onto devices all while remaining completely undetectable to the user. National Public Radio’s reporter Alina Selyukh interviewed Jules Polonetsky, CEO of the Future of Privacy Forum, who supports responsible internet information collection. According to Polonetsky, there are plenty of ways for internet users to protect their privacy even with the repealing of the regulations, including using Virtual Private Networks and adjusting the settings of one’s internet browsers to ‘do-nottrack’. Even with these precautions, however, advertising companies can obtain the information they need to adjust to their clients properly, and while internet users can switch to VPNs for all their web needs by using an encryption to block companies from locating search information (a sort of condom
for the internet), Electronic Frontier Foundation reporter Gennie Gebhart said that this is still not a secure option. “It’s just shifting trust to a new corporation. If ownership changes, they could start selling information just as easily,” Gebhart said. EFF was, and still is, working hard to provide internet privacy and privileges all around the globe. Their team and Gebhart are advocating for a new bill to be presented that will bring these regulations back in order to deliver the safety surrounding their internet usage that citizens deserve. EFF are not the only ones concerned with the new lack of privacy. “They’ve already taken a lot of privacy. Why would they need more info?” said Ashwag Shidawa, a CSU Bakersfield student and child development major. Shidawa’s friends Deena Khalid, a human biology major, and
Nashwa Rafiq, a liberal studies major, said that the lack of laws ensuring their personal privacy makes them wary of using the internet. But merely complaining about the issue won’t fix it, which is why organizations like EFF are suggesting that everyone contact his or her local legislator to voice concerns. Congress has stolen away our basic rights to privacy on our most used platforms of life. Citizens did not ask for this invasion of daily life and the exposure of their personal searches to be turned into a hand crafted selling device, it was merely something Congress decided for us. One in which they hid their shitty agenda under the hype of Universal Health Care being thrown out the window. Privacy should not be an addon service but a natural human right to be protected by this country. BY: CASEY JOHNSON
May 3, 2017
Sports
9
WOMEN’S GOLF
Two Roadrunners finish in top 10 By Victor Rodriguez Reporter For the first time in program history, members of the CSU Bakersfield women’s golf team finished in the top 10 of the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Golf Championship. The tournament was held at the Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, Kansas. Juniors Tori Peers and Ariel Lee placed sixth and seventh respectively, while the team as a whole earned a fifth-place finish in the tournament. “What these two accomplished is indescribable for me,” said CSUB’s Director of Golf, Meghan Thomason. “Just to see how far they’ve come as competitors, leaders on our team, golfers, and students is beyond anything I could have imagined. “Breaking records is great and the things their doing competitively are special and mean a lot to our program, but I am more proud of who they are as people to be honest.” Peers, a native of Grand
Island, Nebraska, placed sixth overall, finished with a 54-hole score of 224 (76-75-73, +14). Her three-round total is tied for fifth best in CSUB history. Peers was just five strokes behind this year’s individual WAC Champion, Suthavee Chanachai of New Mexico State University. “It felt pretty good, I’ve been working towards getting there all three years so being able to finally accomplish it felt really good,” said Peers. “Having the coaching and team support that I have always help to push and motivate myself to do the best I can at all times throughout the season.” Ariel Lee, a native of Singapore, finished seventh overall was only two strokes behind fellow teammate Peers. Her three round total was 226 (7379-74, +16) and is the eighth best in CSUB history. “It makes me proud to represent CSUB and have all my hard work pay off,” said Lee. “I feel like all this was not just from a few weeks of hard work, it was a long term pro-
cess which started in the Fall season and just kept building up to this season.” As a team, CSUB finished fifth out of a seven team total, which was their second best WAC Championship finish after placing fourth in 2015. The Roadrunners improved their score in each round as they finished with a 922 stroke total (310-307-305, +82). They were only fifteen strokes behind New Mexico State, the first place WAC Champions. Freshman Macey Mills finished tied for 17th with a threeround total of 232 (79-74-79, +22). Her 17th place finish was also a better finish than any Roadrunner in previous years. Junior Julia Stewart placed 28th after shooting a threeround total of 240 (82-79-79, +30). In her final tournament competition at CSUB, senior Chandler Bullman shot 250 (86-83-81, +40). She placed 38th overall.
BASEBALL
Roadrunners take two of three at Sacramento State
Matthew Hicks/Western Athletic Conference
CSUB senior Chandler Bullman watches one of her drives at the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Golf Championship at the Indian Hills County Club in Mission Hills, Kansas.
UPCOMING HOME SCHEDULE
May 5 - May 7
Trevante Hammonds/The Runner
Senior infielder David Metzgar sets to throw a runner out at first after he fields a ball at Hardt Field. Metzgar currently has a 22-game hitting streak at the plate as well.
Game 1 On Thursday, April 28, the Roadrunners defeated Sacramento State 4-3. Senior pitcher Max Carter gave up three runs in six innings while striking out five. Leading 4-1 in the seventh, he was lifted after allowing a run-scoring triple. Junior pitcher Naithen Dewsnap replaced Carter and allowed another run on a sacrifice fly to make it a one-run game. Dewsnap recovered and recorded the final nine outs of the game for the save. He also struck out three. It was his ninth save of the season, which set a new school record. Trailing 1-0 entering the top of the fifth, junior Mark Pena led off the inning with a walk to start a four-run rally. Pena scored on single by senior David Metzgar. The inning was capped by a two-run single by senior Mahlik Jones. With the win, Carter improved to 7-1 on the season. Carter also finished 3 for 5 at the plate with a run batted in and a run scored. Sophomore Sergio Robles went 3 for 3 with a double and a walk.
Game 2 In the second game of the series on Saturday, April 29, the Hornets defeated the Roadrunners 11-1 in eight innings as the Western Athletic Conference 10-run mercy rule came into play. The loss snapped the Roadrunners’ five-game WAC winning streak. CSUB got on the board first with an RBI single by Jones in the top of the fourth. Sophomore pitcher Andrew Hansen held Sacramento State scoreless through three innings. However, he gave up three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth before he was lifted for sophomore pitcher Isaiah Moten. Hansen gave up five earned runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings pitched. After an error by junior Brandon Heinrich in the bottom of the eighth, three unearned runs scored on a bases-clearing double by pinch-hitter senior Brandon Hunley. The hit gave the Hornets a 10-run lead to end the game. Jones went 2 for 3 with an RBI in the loss. Sophomore outfielder Sergio Robles reached base safely three times as he went 2 for 2 and was hit by a pitch.
Game 3 In the rubber game of the series on Sunday, April 30, the Roadrunners defeated the Hornets, 8-3 to win the series. Metzgar set two new school records in the win. His first inning single extended his hitting streak to 22 games, which broke the old record of 21 set by Mylz Jones in 2013. Metzgar also reached base safely for the 36th straight game to break the old record of 35 set by Jeremy Rodriguez in 2010. An RBI groundout by Carter and a run-scoring single by senior Ryan Grotjohn gave CSUB a 2-0 lead. Grotjohn now leads the nation in batting average with a .419 clip. The Roadrunners scored two more times in the top of the second to give them a 4-0 lead. In six innings of work, freshman pitcher Aaron Charles gave up two earned runs and struck out six. Dewsnap entered with one out in the seventh and got the last eight outs for his tenth save of the season. A three-run rally in the top of the ninth helped CSUB put the game out of reach.
May 10
May 12 - May 14
10 Features
May 3, 2017
CAMPUS
Javier Valdes/The Runner
Moonchild performs at the Bakersfield Jazz Fest on Saturday, April 29.
Javier Valdes/The Runner
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah plays at the Bakersfield Jazz Fest on Saturday.
Karina Diaz/The Runner
Attendees lay out their blankets and chairs waiting for Soulajar.
Karina Diaz/The Runner
J2 and the Bizzness perform at the entry stage on Friday, April 28.
Javier Valdes/The Runner
The Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah ensemble play at the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.
Jazz Festival brings the tunes to CSUB By Gustavo Reveles Reporter
The 31st annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival welcomed the entire community at CSU Bakersfield campus for a spring night filled with eccentric music, dance, food, drink and lots of jazz. The Jazz Festival has been a spring tradition since 1987. Each year the festival features internationally acclaimed musicians bringing jazz artists and enthusiasts together for a special two-day weekend celebration. Besides celebrating the jazz world, the festival has also celebrated student talent and has raised and awarded over $20,000 in scholarships annually to students across campus. Bakersfield local and parent
Carlos Jimenez revered the festival’s tradition of supporting and honoring music students and said that his first impressions of the festival were positive. “The music is relaxing. I’m loving the music and the atmosphere,” said Jimenez. CSUB students Norma Hernandez, 19, Jazmin Duff, 21 and Anette Almazan, 21 also admired and enjoyed the night’s musical performances. “It’s a relaxing atmosphere. We always try to find something new for my first time [attending]. It’s relaxing. I am enjoying myself,” said Hernandez. Opening night on April 28 featured jazz musician group Soulajar, who infused the evening with their enticing ‘70s soul-inspired jazz.
Ghost-Note then filled the stage with their dynamic, jazzy instrumental percussions. Their first record, “Fortified”, topped the iTunes Jazz charts back in 2015. First-time attendee and jazz enthusiast Yvonne Torres, 27, attended Friday’s festivities and was mind-blown by the jam-packed talent in the jazz community. “It’s exhilarating to be here,” said Torres. “I am loving the food, the refreshments, the wonderful staff, the relaxing festive vibes. All the bands are spectacular. They each have an impressive identity.” Saxophonist Donny McCaslin, who featured on David Bowie’s “Blackstar” album, took the spotlight with his band to complement Friday’s festivities with a truly electric, jolting
performance. McCaslin is no stranger to Bakersfield’s Jazz Festival. His first major gig involved playing in the festival’s early years with Gary Burton’s Quintet in 1989. A California native from Santa Cruz, McCaslin said that he enjoys playing in Bakersfield. “There’s just something about being in California that feels very comforting to me,” said McCaslin. “I was very happy to be here, and it’s nice to play in this venue and play outdoors.” McCaslin’s music and focus veers into an electric direction. Electronica artists have influenced his musical aesthetic. “One way I describe it is that it’s the exploration of the intersection of improvisation of electronica music,” said McCaslin. The quartet’s stunning futuris-
tic synthetic sounds, along with McCaslin’s virtuosic saxophone improvisations, sets them apart. Futuristic tracks like “Fast Future” transport listeners into a new realm of electrifying jazz. McCaslin and his band are on tour to promote their October 2016 release of “Beyond Now”, a project that was recorded three months after David Bowie’s death. The passion behind “Beyond Now” was profoundly influenced by the band’s experience collaborating with legend David Bowie. “It was a tremendous life-changing experience,” said McCaslin. “One of the overriding feelings I have about him [Bowie] is the generosity of his spirit. He was a wonderful person and very present. When he walked into the room, you felt
his presence taking everything in.” McCaslin and his band will play for numerous jazz festivals both internationally and nationally in the coming months for their 2017 tour. “One thing that is interesting about festivals is the opportunity to hear other bands, to see other musicians and friends,” said McCaslin. “I enjoy the community aspect of playing in festivals.” McCaslin is in the process of writing new songs and experimenting with new sound for future projects. Listeners can anticipate more of McCaslin’s exhilarating tenor playing and stunning jazz-electric sounds in the future.